Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Acthttp://lubbockonline.com/do/not/override/panel/taxonomy/term/34676/
enLeaders push Medicare bill toward final congressional approvalhttp://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2015-04-15/leaders-push-medicare-bill-toward-final-congressional-approval
<p>WASHINGTON — Legislation permanently overhauling how Medicare pays physicians won approval Tuesday from an atypically united Congress as lawmakers banded together to erase an irritant that has dogged them for years.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2015-04-15/leaders-push-medicare-bill-toward-final-congressional-approval" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2015-04-15/leaders-push-medicare-bill-toward-final-congressional-approval#commentsNational NewsALAN FRAMAmerican Medical AssociationBarack ObamaCongressFederal assistance in the United StatesGovernmentHealthHealthHealthcare reform in the United StatesIndependent Payment Advisory BoardLaborLaborleaderMedicareMedicareMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActMitch McConnellOregonPerson CareerPoliticsPoliticsPresidency of Lyndon B. JohnsonpresidentQuotationRon WydenSenateSocial IssuesSocial IssuesUnited States National Health Care ActUSDWASHINGTONWed, 15 Apr 2015 05:13:57 +0000ALAN FRAM216196 at http://lubbockonline.comCuts may be in store for Medicare Advantage planshttp://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2014-02-22/cuts-may-be-store-medicare-advantage-plans
<p>WASHINGTON — Cuts are on the table next year for Medicare Advantage plans, the Obama administration said Friday. The politically dicey move affecting a private insurance alternative highly popular with seniors immediately touched off an election-year fight.</p>
<p>The announcement gave new ammunition to Republican critics of President Barack Obama’s health care law, while disappointing some Democratic senators who had called on the administration to hold rates steady. Insurers are still hoping to whittle back the cuts or dodge them altogether.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2014-02-22/cuts-may-be-store-medicare-advantage-plans" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2014-02-22/cuts-may-be-store-medicare-advantage-plans#commentsNational NewsRICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARanalystAvalere HealthBarack ObamaBusinessBusinessFederal assistance in the United StatesHealthHealthHealth insuranceHealthcare reform in the United StatesHumanaLaborLaborMatthew EylesMedicareMedicareMedicare Part DMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActPerson CareerPoliticsPoliticsPresidency of Lyndon B. JohnsonpresidentPrivateSocial IssuesSocial IssuesUnited StatesUnited States National Health Care ActUnitedHealth GroupWASHINGTONSat, 22 Feb 2014 17:19:46 +0000RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR165493 at http://lubbockonline.comWho loves Medicare more? Obama, Ryan trade charges on Medicare overhaulhttp://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-08-18/who-loves-medicare-more-obama-ryan-trade-charges-medicare-overhaul
<p>THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Who loves Medicare more? President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney's running mate vied for that distinction Saturday as Medicare became the latest flashpoint in a presidential campaign of flying elbows.</p>
<p>The issue is dicey for both sides: Obama is steering billions from the entitlement to help pay for the expansion of coverage under his health care law; Paul Ryan is a champion of overhauling Medicare to make the traditional program no longer the mainstay for tomorrow's seniors — just one of many old-age health insurance choices.</p>
<p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-08-18/who-loves-medicare-more-obama-ryan-trade-charges-medicare-overhaul" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-08-18/who-loves-medicare-more-obama-ryan-trade-charges-medicare-overhaul#commentsFiled onlinePHILIP ELLIOTT and JIM KUHNHENNactuaryAssociated PressBarack ObamaBetty Ryan DouglasBusinessBusinesscongressmanFloridaGovernorship of Mitt RomneyHealthHealthHealthcare in AustraliaHealthcare reform in the United StatesLaborLaborMassachusettsMedicareMedicareMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActMitt RomneyMitt RomneyNew HampshirePaul RyanPerson AttributesPerson CareerPharmaceuticals policypresidentQuotationRichard FosterRochesterSocial IssuesSocial IssuesTHE VILLAGESUnited States National Health Care ActUSDWASHINGTONWelfare stateWisconsinWRITERSun, 19 Aug 2012 03:57:43 +0000PHILIP ELLIOTT and JIM KUHNHENN101781 at http://lubbockonline.comPaul Ryan's plan for Medicaid, Medicare mirrors Texas billshttp://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-08-14/paul-ryans-plan-medicaid-medicare-mirrors-texas-bills
<p>If Republican vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan’s controversial plan for reforming Medicaid and Medicare sounds familiar in Texas, it should. The Wisconsin congressman’s proposal bears strong similarities to bills that Texas Republicans advocated for —and eventually passed —during the last legislative session.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-08-14/paul-ryans-plan-medicaid-medicare-mirrors-texas-bills" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-08-14/paul-ryans-plan-medicaid-medicare-mirrors-texas-bills#commentsFiled onlineTexasEMILY RAMSHAWArlene WohlgemuthBusinessBusinesscongressmanContact DetailsEntertainmentEntertainmentEnvironmentEnvironmentGarnet ColemanGovernorHealthHealthHealthcare reform in the United StatesLaborLaborMedicaidMedicareMedicareMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActMedicare+ChoicePaul RyanPerson CareerPoliticsPoliticspresidential hopefulPrivateQuotationRick PerrySocial IssuesSocial IssuesTexasThe Texas TribuneUnited States National Health Care ActUnited States SenateWhite HouseWisconsinTue, 14 Aug 2012 13:08:54 +0000EMILY RAMSHAW101159 at http://lubbockonline.comMedicare would be disrupted if health law is struck down, administration sayshttp://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-05-03/medicare-would-be-disrupted-if-health-law-struck-down-administration-says
<p>WASHINGTON — Tossing out President Barack Obama’s health care law would have major unintended consequences for Medicare’s payment systems, unseen but vital plumbing that handles 100 million monthly claims from hospitals and other service providers, the administration has quietly informed the courts.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-05-03/medicare-would-be-disrupted-if-health-law-struck-down-administration-says" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-05-03/medicare-would-be-disrupted-if-health-law-struck-down-administration-says#commentsFiled onlineRICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARadministratorBarack ObamaBusinessBusinessCongressDepartment of JusticeDon BerwickEntertainmentEntertainmentEnvironmentEnvironmentGeneral CounselHealthHealthHealth insuranceHealthcare in the United StatesHealthcare reform in the United StatesHospitalityHospitalityLaborLaborLawLawLyndon B. JohnsonMajorMedicaidMedicareMedicareMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActPerson CareerPharmaceuticals policyPoliticsPoliticspresidentPrivateQuotationSocial IssuesSocial IssuesSupreme CourtThomas A. ScullyThomas BarkerTom ScullyUnited States National Health Care ActW. BushWASHINGTONWelfare stateThu, 03 May 2012 12:12:10 +0000RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR86974 at http://lubbockonline.comMedicare rationing? An election-year House votehttp://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2012-03-23/medicare-rationing-election-year-house-vote
<p>WASHINGTON — House Republicans resurrected the specter of Medicare rationing Thursday in an election-year vote to repeal cost controls in President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.</p>
<p>In the GOP cross hairs is a board that has yet to be named but would be empowered to force cuts to drug companies, insurers and other service providers if Medicare spending balloons. A Republican plan announced this week, laying down a dividing line between the parties, also would limit Medicare cost increases, but it would rely on competition among private insurance plans.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2012-03-23/medicare-rationing-election-year-house-vote" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2012-03-23/medicare-rationing-election-year-house-vote#commentsNational NewsRICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARBarack ObamaBusinessBusinesscandidateCongressEducationEducationEntertainmentEntertainmentEnvironmentEnvironmentHealthHealthHealth care reform in the United StatesHealth insuranceHealthcare reform in the United StatesHospitalityHospitalityJack KingstonLaborLaborLawLawMajorMedicareMedicareMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActPaul RyanPerson CareerPoliticsPoliticspresidentPrivateQuotationRepublican PartyRepublican PartySarah PalinSenateSocial IssuesSocial IssuesTechnologyTechnologyUnited States National Health Care ActWASHINGTONWhite HouseFri, 23 Mar 2012 05:32:18 +0000RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR82285 at http://lubbockonline.comMedicare debate all about baby boomers http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2012-01-02/medicare-debate-all-about-baby-boomers
<p>WASHINGTON — Baby boomers take note: Medicare as your parents have known it is headed for big changes no matter who wins the White House in 2012. You may not like it, but you might have to accept it.</p>
<p>Dial down the partisan rhetoric and surprising similarities emerge from competing policy prescriptions by President Barack Obama and leading Republicans such as Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.</p>
<p>Limit the overall growth of Medicare spending? It’s in both approaches.</p>
<p>Squeeze more money from upper-income retirees and some in the middle-class? Ditto.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2012-01-02/medicare-debate-all-about-baby-boomers" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2012-01-02/medicare-debate-all-about-baby-boomers#commentsNational NewsRICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARadministratoradviserBarack ObamaBusinessBusinessEducationEducationEntertainmentEntertainmentEnvironmentEnvironmentGail WilenskyGovernmentHealthHealthHealthcare reform in the United StatesLaborLaborMedicareMedicareMedicare Part DMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActPaul RyanPerson CareerPoliticsPoliticspresidentPrivateQuotationRobert ReischauerSocial IssuesSocial IssuesTechnologyTechnologyUnited States National Health Care ActUSDWASHINGTONWhite HouseWisconsinMon, 02 Jan 2012 06:00:59 +0000RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR72942 at http://lubbockonline.comMedicare cuts could hit on Jan. 18http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-12-21/medicare-cuts-could-hit-jan-18
<p>WASHINGTON — Nearly 650,000 doctors caring for millions of seniors will get a steep cut in Medicare payments Jan. 18 unless a gridlocked Congress issues a reprieve, program officials said Tuesday.</p>
<p>A provision waiving a scheduled 27.4 percent cut in physician reimbursement was included in the payroll tax legislation now ensnared in partisan political wrangling between the House and Senate.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-12-21/medicare-cuts-could-hit-jan-18" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-12-21/medicare-cuts-could-hit-jan-18#commentsNational NewsRICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARAARPAmerican Medical AssociationBusinessBusinessCongressdeputy administratorHealthcare reform in the United StatesJonathan BlumJoyce RogersMedicareMedicareMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActPerson CareerphysicianQuotationSenateThe Associated PressUnited States National Health Care Actvice presidentWASHINGTONWed, 21 Dec 2011 06:40:15 +0000RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR71721 at http://lubbockonline.comLetter: Obama health care reform didn't create planhttp://lubbockonline.com/editorial-letters/2011-12-17/letter-obama-health-care-reform-didnt-create-plan
<p>Obama health care reform didn’t create plan </p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/editorial-letters/2011-12-17/letter-obama-health-care-reform-didnt-create-plan" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/editorial-letters/2011-12-17/letter-obama-health-care-reform-didnt-create-plan#commentsEditorial / LettersGovernmentHealthHealthHealth care reform in the United StatesHealthcare reformHealthcare reform in the United StatesHumanaHumanaLaborLaborMedicareMedicareMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActMedicare+ChoicepresidentSocial IssuesSocial IssuesTexasTexas Tech UniversityTexas Tech University Health Sciences CenterUnited States National Health Care ActSat, 17 Dec 2011 06:20:43 +0000Staff71245 at http://lubbockonline.comMedicare relief: premiums not as high as fearedhttp://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-10-28/medicare-relief-premiums-not-high-feared
<p>WASHINGTON — Medicare’s basic monthly premium will be much lower than expected next year, the government announced Thursday. That could pay political dividends for President Barack Obama and for Democrats struggling to win over seniors in a close election.</p>
<p>The new Part B premium for outpatient care will be $99.90 a month for 2012, or about $7 less than projected as recently as May.</p>
<p>The bottom line: most seniors will pay an additional $3.50 a month next year, instead of $10.20, as forecast earlier.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-10-28/medicare-relief-premiums-not-high-feared" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-10-28/medicare-relief-premiums-not-high-feared#commentsNational NewsRICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARAssociated PressBarack ObamaBusinessBusinessfinanceGovernmentHealthHealthHealthcare reform in the United StatesKathleen SebeliusLaborLaborMedicaidMedicareMedicareMedicare Part DMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActPerson CareerPoliticsPoliticspresidentQuotationSocial IssuesSocial IssuesSocial SecurityThe Medicare newsUnited States National Health Care ActUSDWASHINGTONFri, 28 Oct 2011 05:11:54 +0000RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR65470 at http://lubbockonline.comMedicare yanks licenses, gives them right backhttp://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-10-17/medicare-yanks-licenses-gives-them-right-back
<p>MIAMI — Regulators fighting an estimated $60 billion to $90 billion a year in Medicare fraud frequently suspend Medicare providers, then quickly reinstate them after appeals hearings that government employees don’t even attend, according to an Associated Press review.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-10-17/medicare-yanks-licenses-gives-them-right-back" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-10-17/medicare-yanks-licenses-gives-them-right-back#commentsNational NewsKELLI KENNEDYArrestAssociated PressattorneyBaton RougeBrooklynBusinessBusinessCenters for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesChris ParrellacontractorConvictionDepartment of JusticeDETROITFloridaGovernmentHeadHealthHealthHealthcare reform in the United StatesHoustonIndictmentinspectorInsurance fraudKirk OgroskyLaborLaborLawLawLOS ANGELESMedicaidMedicareMedicareMedicare fraudMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActMIAMINew YorkPerson CareerPrivateQuotationSimon SeruyaSocial IssuesSocial IssuesSome storeUnited States National Health Care ActUSDMon, 17 Oct 2011 05:24:14 +0000KELLI KENNEDY64115 at http://lubbockonline.comAverage monthly premium for Medicare's popular program won't go up next yearhttp://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2011-08-05/average-monthly-premium-medicares-popular-prescription-program-wont-go-next
<p></p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2011-08-05/average-monthly-premium-medicares-popular-prescription-program-wont-go-next" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2011-08-05/average-monthly-premium-medicares-popular-prescription-program-wont-go-next#commentsFiled onlineRICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARAssociated PressBusinessBusinessGovernmentHealthHealthHealthcare reform in the United StatesLaborLaborLawLawMedicareMedicareMedicare Part DMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActMedicare+ChoicePerson CareerPharmaceuticals policyPolicyPrivateSocial IssuesSocial IssuesUnited States National Health Care ActUSDWASHINGTONSat, 06 Aug 2011 03:27:36 +0000RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR55480 at http://lubbockonline.comHealth law windfall of $275M for Massachusetts hospitalshttp://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2011-08-04/health-law-windfall-275m-massachusetts-hospitals
<p>WASHINGTON — Hospitals in Massachusetts will reap an annual windfall of $275 million through a loophole enshrined in the new health care law.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2011-08-04/health-law-windfall-275m-massachusetts-hospitals" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2011-08-04/health-law-windfall-275m-massachusetts-hospitals#commentsFiled onlineRICARDO ALONO-ZALDIVARBarack ObamaBusinessBusinessDisproportionate share hospitalGovernmenthead of the MassachusettsHealthHealthHealthcare in AustraliaHealthcare in the United StatesHealthcare reform in the United StatesHerb KuhnLaborLaborLaurens SartorisLyndon B. JohnsonLynn NicholasMassachusettsMedicareMedicareMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActMedicineMissouriNew JerseyNew YorkPerson Careerpresidentpresident of the Missouri Hospital Associationpresident of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Associationpresident of the Wisconsin Hospital AssociationQuotationSocial IssuesSocial IssuesSteve BrentonUSDusherVirginiaVirginia hospitalWASHINGTONWelfare stateWisconsinThu, 04 Aug 2011 14:50:12 +0000RICARDO ALONO-ZALDIVAR55313 at http://lubbockonline.comStudy reveals Medicare drug plan saves hospital costshttp://lubbockonline.com/health/2011-07-27/study-reveals-medicare-drug-plan-saves-hospital-costs
<p>CHICAGO — A new study suggests that Medicare’s 5-year-old prescription drug plan is keeping seniors out of hospitals and nursing homes, saving the federal program an estimated $12 billion a year in those costs.</p>
<p>The savings only offset a portion of the $55 billion a year the government spends on Medicare Part D, as the drug plan is known. But the study’s authors say it means seniors are staying healthier and enjoying a better quality of life.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/health/2011-07-27/study-reveals-medicare-drug-plan-saves-hospital-costs" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/health/2011-07-27/study-reveals-medicare-drug-plan-saves-hospital-costs#commentsHealthNational NewsCarla K. JohnsonauthorBusinessBusinessChicagoEntertainmentEntertainmentGovernmentHarvardHealthHealthHealthcare in the United StatesHealthcare reform in the United StatesJoseph AntosJournal of the American Medical AssociationLaborLaborLyndon B. JohnsonMarsha GoldMedicareMedicareMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActMedicare+ChoiceMichael McWilliamsPerson CareerPharmaceuticals policyQuotationSocial IssuesSocial IssuesUnited States National Health Care ActUSDWelfare stateWed, 27 Jul 2011 05:20:20 +0000Carla K. Johnson54445 at http://lubbockonline.comSenators push for delay in Medicare eligibilityhttp://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-06-29/senators-push-delay-medicare-eligibility
<p>WASHINGTON - Two Senate rebels jumped into Congress' cut-the-deficit competition on Tuesday, proposing to raise the age of Medicare eligibility to 67 and increase monthly premiums for millions of current beneficiaries.</p>
<p>"We can't save Medicare as we know it," said Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., who authored the plan with Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. "We can only save Medicare if we change it," he added in an apparent jab at President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats.</p><p><a href="http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-06-29/senators-push-delay-medicare-eligibility" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://lubbockonline.com/national-news/2011-06-29/senators-push-delay-medicare-eligibility#commentsNational NewsDavid EspoBarack ObamaBusinessBusinessCongressConnecticutDisasterDisasterEntertainmentEntertainmentEnvironmentEnvironmentGovernmentHealthHealthHealth care reform in the United StatesHealthcare reform in the United StatesJoe LiebermanJoseph LiebermanMedicareMedicareMedicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization ActMedigapOklahomaPerson CareerPoliticsPoliticspresidentQuotationRepublican PartySenateTimothy GeithnerTom CoburnTom CoburnTreasury SecretaryUnited States National Health Care ActUSDWASHINGTONWhite HouseWed, 29 Jun 2011 05:12:22 +0000David Espo51735 at http://lubbockonline.com